Alexi Ogando = Wow Factor

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The domino effect set into motion when Tommy Hunter strained his groin in his final spring start was supposed to cripple the Rangers' pitching staff — rotation and bullpen.

Instead, it's made it no worse, if not better.

Sure, Ogando isn't mowing folks down in the eighth inning to set up Neftali Feliz, but he's off to one hell of a start in the rotation as he's coming off Monday's 2-0 win over the Tigers, which was his second start of the season.

As good as his first start was — 6 scoreless innings against the Mariners — Monday's was even better and more impressive. First off, he was going head-to-head with Tigers ace Justin Verlander, and outdueled him.

Secondly, he went 7 innings this time, also scoreless, while giving up just two hits, and he did it in just 79 pitches.

He could've easily gone the full nine innings if not for a pesky blister that popped up on his finger in the sixth inning.

Good news is, the blister is fine now and he's still on schedule for his next start.

One more start like this, and it's going to be awfully hard for Tommy "Big Game" Hunter to reclaim his spot in the starting rotation with the way Matt Harrison and Derek Holland are pitching with Ogando.